Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed. It is more common than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined. In October notable celebrities and public figures came forward to share their skin cancer and melanoma stories; reality star Khloe Kardashian, TV personality Teddi Mellencamp, actor Michael Rapaport, NFL commentator Terry Bradshaw, and Canadian journalist Don Martin. All five shared their experience on social media and encouraged their followers and fans to check their skin regularly and practice sun safety, key to preventing skin cancers.
Khloe Kardashian
On October 11th, Khloe Kardashian shared a series of Instagram stories explaining why she recently had a bandage across the right side of her cheek. “After noticing a small bump on my face and assuming it was something as minor as a zit, I decided to get it biopsied; 7 months after realizing it was not budging.” Khloe continued to let fans know that after having a biopsy her doctors discovered it was a tumour that would need to be removed.
Khloe had previously been diagnosed with melanoma on her back when she was 19; and reminded fans how important it is to get regular skin checks. “I am someone who wears sunscreen every single day, religiously so no one is exempt from these things. Please take this seriously and do regular self-exams as well as your annual check-ups.”
Teddi Mellencamp
Reality TV star Teddi Mellencamp, who appeared on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, followed suit of Kardashian and posted about her experience with melanoma that same day. Mellencamp, who like Kardashian had a previous melanoma diagnosis, revealed she was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma after going in for her 3-month skin check in October.
Mellencamp shared her story and encouraged her fans “please go in every 3 months. I so badly wanted to blow this off. What could happen in 3 months? I thought. This has been such a wakeup call for me, and I hope to all of you, to love and protect the skin you’re in.” Due to Mellencamp’s previous melanoma diagnoses, her doctors had urged her to get her skin checked every 3 months. Without a previous skin cancer, Canadians are encouraged to perform monthly self-skin checks and annual check-ups with a doctor or dermatologist.
Mellencamp revealed she underwent surgery on her shoulder on October 26th to remove her melanomas. She continues to share her journey on social media and encourages her followers and fans to get regular skin checks and wear sunscreen.
Michael Rappaport
Actor Michael Rappaport who appeared in films such as True Romance and Higher Learning and TV shows like the Simpsons and Boston Public, revealed through his Instagram on October 16th that he underwent surgery to remove a squamous cell carcinoma from his hand.
Rapaport noted to his followers that he had previous skin cancers removed and stressed to his followers how important it is to wear sunscreen and get your skin checked.
Terry Bradshaw
On October 2nd, NFL commentator Terry Bradshaw shared the news on air that over the past year he had been battling two types of cancer; bladder cancer and skin cancer. Bradshaw spoke about discovering a tumor on his neck earlier in the year, that turned out to be a merkel cell tumor. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare form of malignant skin cancer.
After revealing he had undergone treatment for both his bladder and skin cancer, Bradshaw noted he was cancer free now.
Don Martin
Canadian journalist Don Martin was the latest public figure to come forward with his experience. Martin discovered a worrisome mole on his neck and wrote a blog recounting his experience with “an irritating mole chafing at the collar had me badgering our family doctor to remove it, which he quickly did and sent off for routine testing.”
After getting it sent off, Martin revealed he received a voicemail from his doctor that urged him to give him a call back immediately. Martin’s doctor informed him he found something terribly amiss and told Martin he had a “worst-case scenario for skin cancer: Nodular melanoma Level IV.”
Martin went on to explain, “a lymphoscintigraphy led to a surgical consultation, followed by an MRI of the brain, with the interesting read-it-one-of-two-ways result that it didn’t show anything, and a PET scan within a matter of weeks. When I remarked that it seemed a very sudden series of treatments, I was told it reflected having a cancer which, once embedding in the lymph nodes, could spread with ruthless speed to the lungs, brain, liver and beyond.”
Luckily, Martin was delivered best case- scenario news. His pathology showed the cancer had not spread into the lymph nodes or beyond. Martin is still awaiting final word from his oncologist but went on to encourage Canadians to get their skin checked annually.
1 in 3 cancers diagnosed is skin cancer. The survival rate for melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) is high if detected early. Unlike many cancers, melanoma is often clearly visible on the skin. Eighty-five percent (85%) of patients discover their melanomas themselves. Sign up for Melanoma Canada’s monthly skin check reminder so you don’t forget!
No Fields Found.What to look for?
When screening for melanoma, keep in mind the ABCDE’s
The two halves of the mole have different shapes
The edge of the mole is irregular. It may look blurred, ragged, or notched. Pigment may spread into the skin around the mole.
The colour of the mole is uneven. The mole may have different shades of tan, brown, and black, sometimes with blue, gray, red, pink, or white.
While melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller
The mole has changed in the past few weeks or months. It may be itchy, scaling or bleeding
Your Guide to a Self Skin-Exam
Other signs to visit your doctor or dermatologist include a sore that won’t heal, swelling that goes beyond the spot, pain or tenderness, oozing or bleeding from the spot.
Questions?
Reach out to our health care navigator to learn more about the next steps in prevention and early detection. Contact support@melanomanetwork.ca
